Israel charges 7 Arab citizens in suspected IS-linked plot

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it has indicted seven Arab citizens on suspicion of setting up an Islamic State cell in the country and planning to attack police and army bases.

Spokeswoman Luba Samri said on Thursday that the seven — all men in their 20s and 30s — are affiliated with the Islamic State group's ideology.

She said they had collected intelligence on police and military bases in Israel. In the investigation, they also admitted planning to firebomb businesses that sold alcohol since it contradicts their Muslim faith.

Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population. While many identify with the Palestinians and some have turned militant, just a handful have joined IS __ the extremist group notorious for its beheadings of foreign journalists and aid workers in Iraq and Syria.